Liquid dispensers



Dec. 1, 1959 P. J. DANIELS LIQUID DISPENSERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 16, 1956 FIG.2.

INVENTOR. Lam-4 ATTORNEYS Dec. 1, 1959 P. J. DANIELS 2,915,094

LIQUID DISPENSERS Original Filed Jan. 16. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTOR EYS I United States Patent 2 15 4 LIQUID DISPENSERS Paul J. Daniels, Evanston, 11].

Original application January 16, 1956, Serial No. 559,297 Divided and this application April 1, 1957, Serial No.

" Claims. (Cl. 141-82) This invention .relates to improvements inliquid .dis- .pensers, andis an improvement upon the devices dis closed :in my prior Patents Nos. 2,694,984, 2,695,117,

2,695,121, and is adivision of my applicationsserial 'No. 559,297, filed January 16, 1956.

The present invention relates in general to dispensers ,of ,the type adapted for use in automatic portion controlled selfservice devices, and is particularly useful in dispensing milk or other edible liquids in cafeterias, drive-ins, factories and institutions.

The present invention is generally of that type wherein there is a flexible delivery tube leading from a supply container to a dispensing outlet, and wherein there is a rotary lift unit or pump having spaced rollers which progressively compress a portion of the length of tubing during rotation to cause fluid to be withdrawn from the container and to flow through the tube to the ,pensing outlet.

'In automatic liquid vending, where there is no atetendant, it is important to avoid pulsations which might ,cause splashing, drippage or excessive foam during delivery. This is particularly important inthe dispensing of milk to school children, where sanitation is essen \tial. It is .also important to avoid problems in that .portionof the delivery tube which leads from the pump .to the dispensing outlet. If any kinks occur in this portion of the tubing, there is a loss of surface tension with resulting dripping. Kinks are also likely to cause back pressure which prevents the maintenance of a smooth flow. Therefore, from the sanitation aspect,

it is important that the lift or pump deliver the liquid without pulsations, and that the portion of the tube which leads from the pump to the delivery outlet be maintained in fully open perfect dispensing position.

In this type of dispenser, the flexible tubing is replaced each time a new can of milk or other liquid to be dis- :pensed is being readied for use. It is, therefore, im-

portant that any mechanism forholding the flexible tub- "ing in perfect position be of such nature that itcan is readily removably' maintained in perfect position so as to not-interfere with said pulse-free delivery, the entire assemblage resulting in the dispensing of liquid without splashing, dripping or excessive foam.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel,

.readily removable fittings cooperable with the discharge endof the tubing for maintaining said tubing in perfect position so as to eliminate dripping and back pressure and ,eliminate any interference with the smooth flow :from the pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide tubehqlsliqs mechanis h Yi s mean t .a ips wi 2 .erated :fromthe interior .of the dispensing cabinet .to constantly circulate around the spout and thus maintain a temperature approximating that of the interior ,of the cabinet.

.A ,still further object of the inventionis-to provide,,in tliquid dispensing mechanism as ,above described, means for protecting the spout portion of the dispensing :tube from manual contact.

,A still ,further object of the invention .is .to provide, .in ,a device as above described, means whereby'the dis- .pensing portion of the tube ;is adjustably held inv such a manner .as to take up slack which mightresultfrorn the useaof containers ;of different size or height.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved liquid dispensing device which is relatively simple ,to manufacture, foolproof in operation, easy to service, and completely sanitary both in ,servicing and dispensing.

;With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of ,the improved ,liquid dispensing device, and all of itsparts and combinations, as set forth inthe claims,,and all equivalentsthereof.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the, s ame parts in all of theviews:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view looking into the interior of a dispensing device from the rear thereof, and illustrating generally-theimproved features of-the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view throughthe top wail of the dispensing cabinet showing a ,side View of the liquid pump and drive mechanism therefor;

Fig 3 is a ,frontelevational view of the pump with the front holding ring removed;

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating howthe tube holding wall ,of the ;.casing progressively drops away from.-the rollers to vobtaina pulse-free lift and delivery;

Fig. 5 .is .a verticalsectional viewthrough the top wall of the cup port showing the tube-holding fittings in operative position, parts oftheiupper curved fitting being broken .away, and the lower fitting being-shown in vertical section;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lowenfitting which constitutes the spout holder and guard; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cooperating ,arcuate .tube-holding-fitting.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the ,numetal .10.design-ates a dispensing cabinet having a suitably refrigerated interior compartment 11 (adapted .to be .closed by a rear .door which is not shown) .withzsaid compartment havingside walls 12and 13, .a top wall 14,

and a front wall 15. The .front wall ,is equipped with .a,

cup.port l16 fitted in a front opening 17, the cup .porit preferably having a semi-cylindrical wall .as illustrated which forms aconvex projection into the compartment 11, said cup .port having a semi-circular top wall 18 which may incline slightly inwardly and there being .a .bottom wall =19 on which a cup 20 to be filled with milk or other liquid-is adapted .to .be supported, said cup being .insertable .into the .open front of the cup port from the front of the cabinet.

In the case of a milk dispenser, thereis supported on the fioorof the compartment 11 a standard milk can 21 whi c'h is usually .a iiveor ten-gallon size. Leadingupwardlyfrom the cover of the milk canis a flexible. tube 22 preferably of rubber, which tube has suitable conimunicationwith the contents of the container in ways such as those disclosed .:in my prior patents. Suitably connectedtothe top wall 14 and depending therefrom is a vertically disposed mounting plate 23. An electric motor 24 is supported on one side of the mounting-plate and a housing 25 for the lift or pump is connected to the other side of the mounting plate. The drive shaft of the motor 24 is fitted with a helical gear 26 which projects rotatably through the mounting plate 23 and meshes tends through the bottom of its bracket 70 and base head 74 which forms a stop. Thus when the bracket pivots on 71 it will slide inwardly on the rod 73 while compressing the spring 72. The pump housing has a peripheral wall 34 with an interior surface 35. More than two equally spaced rollers may be employed.

The upper portion of the inner surface 35 of the wall 34 is completely concentric with the axis of rotation of the roller assembly 29 as indicated in the diagram, Fig. 4, for approximately 180. Beginning at point 36, however, on the diagram, and as a preferred way of bringing about progressive lessening of roller pressure on the tube, the wall portion starts to fall progressively farther away from a true circle for approximately 135, as shown in Fig. 4, the dot-and-dash lines 35' indicating the continuation of the true circle. As a result of this arrangement, the wall 35 is .035" away from the true circle at station 37, .050" at station 38, .065" at station 39,- .080"

at station 40, .095" at station 41, .110" at station 42,

.125 at station 43, .145 at station 44, .175" at station 45, .205" at station 46, .245" at station 47, and .320" at station 48.

" The flexing tubing 22 leading from the milk can is guided through an opening 34' in the pump housing to extend around the inner periphery of the casing in contact with the wall 35. The tube then passes out of the casing through an opening 49.

With the roller assembly rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3, it is apparent that as the roller 30 rolls along from the position of Fig. 3, it is compressing the tubing to a maximum extent to draw milk or other liquid from the container 21, the roller being somewhat compressed against the tension of the spring 72. In the intake tube there is developed 23" of vacuum which results in a suction lift action because there is a vent in the neck of the cover of the can 21. After the roller 31 reaches the position A it will also start to compress the tubing and there will be a quantity of milk in the tube between the rollers 31 and 30, which milk will be pushed by the roller 31. As soon as roller 30 reaches position 36, the inner wall 35 of the housing, against which the tube 22 rests, begins to gradually and progressively fall farther and farther away from the true circle as shown in the diagram so that the roller 31 is compressing the tube to a progressively lesser extent as it moves through the stations 37-48, inclusive, the stop 74 at the end of the rod limiting the outward movement of the roller to a predetermined maximum. As this roller pressure is gradually relieved, the milk which is being pushed by the roller 30, and which was initially trapped between the rollers 30 and 31, is gradually freed so that there is no abrupt or sudden pulsation created as the milk is directed into the discharge portion of the tube.

The portion 22 of the rubber tubing which leads out of the pump is slipped into a metal fitting 50 (see Fig. 7) so that the fitting is close to the end of the tube leaving a short length of the tubing 51 projecting (see Fig. 5). The metal fitting 50 is arcuate and adapted to prevent kinking of the portion 22 of the rubber tubing by holding it in the proper position shown in Fig. 1.

The lower end of the fitting 50 has a portion 52 which 'is of a diameter to be removably inserted in a neck 53 which-projects upwardly from a fitting 54, the part 52 being retained frictionally in position, and there being protrusions 55 which limit downward movement.

The lower fitting 54 which forms a spout holder and guard is generally rectangular, having a front wall 56, side walls 57, and a rear wall 58. The front wall 56 is preferably formed with a slotted opening 59 and has a depending yielding flange 60, bent at an angle from a protruding shoulder. 64. The side walls 57 have right angularly outwardly bent seating flanges 61, and the rear wall has a relatively long depending skirt 62, there being a protruding head 55. The fitting 54 is, of course, open on the bottom and there is a co-operating opening 63 in the top wall of the cup port. The slot 59 as well asthe open corners 59' allow refrigerated air from the compartment 11 to circulate around the spout 51 of Fig. 5 to maintain a. relatively cool temperature around said spout.

When installing a new length of tubing, the flanges 60 and 62 are inserted in the opening 63 of the top 18 of the cup port until the shoulders 64 and 65 snap beneath the Wall. The flanges 61 of the side walls 57 seat on top of the wall 18, as shown in Fig. 5. Next, the rubber tubing is squeezed so that it can be inserted in the arm!- ate fitting 50 with a short portion 51 projecting therebelow. The lower end 52 of the fitting 50 is then inserted in the sleeve 53 as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, the lower end 51 of the dispensing tube is protected within the recess formed in the fitting 54 from accidental manual contact during use of the dispensing machine. In addition, the spout portion of the tube is held firmly in position while the portion 22 of the tube which leads from the pump is so maintained that kinking is impossible. In addition,

the fitting50 may be swivelled to any position in the sleeve 53 so that slack can be taken up in the tube 22', if there is any.

When a can of milk has been used up the empty can, together with the used tubing, must be removed. With the present invention this can be quickly done by first withdrawing the fitting 59 from the top of the cup port insert. The next steps are the removal of the tubing from the fitting 50, and then the removal of the tubing from the pump. Before replacing a new can having a new length of tubing, the metal fittings 50 and 54 can be cleaned, and this can be done very quickly and easily, as the fitting 54 can be removed by inserting an instrument in the hole 59 and by prying upwardly to snap the insert out of the opening 63. This allows full access for cleaning and sanitizing of the top of the cup port both on the outside and inside of the cabinet.

Summary of operation After a new can of milk, together with a new piece of tubing 22-22 has been inserted in the device in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, then the machine is ready for a dispensing operation. The customer at the front of the machine places a cup 20 in the cup port as shown in Fig. 1, and starts the electric motor 24 in operation. This may be accomplished either by way of a push button switch on the front of the cabinet, or starting may be responsive to the insertion of a coin. Operation of the motor will act through the helical gear 26 and helical wheel 27 to rotate the rotor 29 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3. This will cause lifting of milk from the can and discharge of the same from the spout 51 into the cup 20. By use of suitable timing mechanism, the motor 24 may be made to shut off after a predetermined number of revolutions of the rotor 29 to supply a metered amount of liquid. Due to the fact that the lower portion of the wall 35 of the pump casing falls progressively away from a true circle, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and as heretofore explained, there is a gradual relief which gets progressively greater to eliminate all possibility of pulsations in the discharge portion of the tube. Thus the possibility of splashing, dripping and excessive foam is eliminated.

While it is preferred to provide the relief in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it is obvious that any equivalent method may be employed.

In addition, the fittings 51D and 54 hold the discharge portion 22' of the tubing in'perfect position so that there is no interference with the pulse-free delivery. There is no loss of prime because the instant one roller starts to relieve the other comes into full engagement to hold the prime.

It is obvious that the invention may be used for liquids other than milk. It is also clear that three or more equal- 1y spaced rollers may be used in lieu of the oppositely spaced rollers 31) and 31 illustrated. The novel fittings of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are useful regardless of the position of the can with respect thereto, as long as there is a pump controlling the flow through the tube, and said fittings are useful in a system where the tube extends from the bottom of a can as in my prior Patent No. 2,695,121.

Various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated, as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a liquid dispensing device having a cup port provided with atop wall having a rectangular fitting opening provided with marginal edges, said dispensing device also having a pump and having a flexible dispensing tube leading from said pump and having a dispensing end, a fitting having a rectangular top of substantially the same size as the opening in the top of the cup port, two opposite sides of said top having depending sides provided with outwardly bent flanges which seat on top of the cup port and the other two sides having depending yielding portions which readily removably engage within oppositely disposed marginal edges of the fitting opening and project therebelow, the top of said fitting having a tube opening, and means connecting the dispensing end of said tube in registration with said tube opening.

2. In a liquid dispensing device having a refrigerated chamber, having a cup port provided With a top wall having a fitting opening with said opening having marginal edges, said dispensing device also having a pump and having a flexible dispensing tube leading from said pump through said refrigerated chamber and having a dispensing end, a fitting which has a top and which has depending side portions readily removably engaging said marginal edges of said fitting opening at the top of the cup port, said top of the fitting having a tube opening, and means connecting said tube to said fitting with the dispensing end of the tube projecting through said tube opening, said fitting having air circulation openings to provide for the entrance of air from said refrigerated chamber of the dispensing device into the interior of said fitting to circulate around the dispensing end of the tube.

3. In a liquid dispensing device having a cup port with a fitting opening, having a pump, and having a flexible dispensing tube leading from said pump and having a dispensing end, a first fitting readily removably connected in self-sustaining position to said cup port in registration with said fitting opening, said first fitting having a tube opening, and a second fitting having inner and outer ends engaged around the outside of said tube in longitudinally spaced relationship thereon and having its inner end removably and rotatably connected to said first fitting and received snugly within the tube opening thereof with the dispensing end of the flexible tube held within said tube opening, and said second fitting being bent and having its outer end projecting laterally and supporting said flexible tube in flexed condition at a location spaced from said first fitting, which location may be varied by rotation of the second fitting.

4. In a liquid dispensing device having a cup port provided with a top wall having a rectangular fitting opening provided with marginal edges, said dispensing device also having a pump and having a flexible dispensing tube leading from said pump and having a dispensing end, a fitting having a rectangular top of substantially the same size as the opening in the top of the cup port, two opposite sides of said top having depending yielding portions which readily removably engage Within oppositely disposed marginal edges of the fitting opening and project therebelow, means on said top engageable with the top of the support when said yielding portions are in said position of engagement, the top of said fitting having a tube opening, and means connecting the dispensing end of said tube in registration with said tube opening.

5. In a liquid dispensing device having a cup port with a top wall which is provided with a fitting opening having marginal edges, said device having a pump and having a flexible dispensing tube leading from said pump and having a dispensing end, a fitting having a top provided with side flanges removably seating on top of said cup port top wall and having other yielding flanges which readily removably engage said marginal edges of the fitting opening in the top wall of the cup port to hold said fitting in self-sustaining position thereon, said top of the fitting having a tube opening, and means surrounding the dispensing end of the tube and removably received within said tube opening connecting the dispensing end of said tube within said tube opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,604,465 Merker Oct. 26, 1926 2,058,118 White Oct. 20, 1936 2,591,427 Harkey Apr. 1, 1952 2,695,117 Daniels Nov. 23, 1954 

